MTM Critical Metals ekes gallium out of microchip e-waste using in-house tech at lab-scale; scale-up planned

MTM Critical Minerals (ASX:MTM) has announced it yielded gallium from semiconductor (read: microchip) e-waste using its Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology.

The company reported on Tuesday that “lab-scale” gallium of high purity was recovered from scrap using the JFH chlorination process. On the back of that success, MTM now says it’s gearing towards a commercial-scale plant.

The lab-scale success MTM is hopeful it can replicate with “prototype testing in the FJH reactor” in Houston, Texas, which would precede commercial-scale activities.

That FJH chlorination involves rapidly heating materials recovered from LED screens and related items “in a controlled chlorine atmosphere.” Gallium has a lower melting point than other metals in the feed (including gold and silver); temperatures are carefully controlled.

Gallium is evaporated off and collected later, which the company states allows for high-purity yields.

It isn’t immediately clear how much waste was destroyed versus how much gallium was collected.

“Walshe, said “The breakthrough in gallium recovery from e-scrap using Flash Joule Heating technology marks a pivotal advancement, with similar potential for germanium,” MTM CEO Michael Walshe said.

“Amid limited Western gallium supply options, escalating geopolitical tensions, and recent price surges, our ability to extract this strategic metal from waste streams offers both significant commercial promise and a strategic solution for the U.S.”

Walshe was keen to point out that prices of gallium have risen through 2024. MTM wrote on Tuesday Chinese export restrictions of gallium have led to a “dramatic increase in prices,” MTM reported.

Strategic Metals Invest cite the price at US$909/kg (non-bulk) while prices on the Shanghai Metal Market reflect a benchmark closer to US$350/kg.

That’s the problem with gallium and some of the more obscure metals: pricing can be opaque, or, quite complex.

At any rate, MTM sees opportunity. Given that gallium is needed for microchips and electronics, as well as green technologies (and some defence applications,) it probably makes sense that China has decided to hoard its resources.

But MTM management only see that driving a surge in global demand. Given the rise of data centres, waning-but-still-intense interest in AI, and the rise of NVIDIA – a microchip company, which you need gallium to make – they could be betting on a good horse, whether fundamental or thematic.

MTM last traded at 6.6cps.